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Plans to remove maternity services at North Wales hospitals to be scrapped

The chief executive of trouble health board Betsi Cadwaladr has stepped down from his role.

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U-turn for plans to remove maternity care at north Wales hospitals

Controversial plans to remove doctor-led maternity care at some hospitals in north Wales look set to be abandoned.

Credit: PA

A document published on Tuesday no change to services.

It follows a year of uncertainty with suggestions that specialist services could go from Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

A full decision will be made next week.

In a statement, Deputy Minister for Health Vaughan Gething said progress had been made.

The papers being published today are the result of a detailed, open and transparent consultation process with the people of north Wales and NHS staff. This is exactly the kind of progress we want to see.

It is important to give people certainty on the temporary options. The recommendation for the health board shows that the current position is more stable than a number of months ago. While no final decision has been made, it is now for the board to consider and properly discuss the recommendations carefully when it agrees its response in its public board next week.

Looking towards the future of maternity and paediatric services in north Wales, we remain committed to the SuRNICC and recently announced £1.4m of funding to develop the plans and a recruitment process is underway.

We will continue to provide extra support under the special measures arrangements to help turn around the health board and regain the confidence of the people it serves.

– Vaughan Gething, Deputy Minister for Health

Read more: Campaigners rally against North Wales hospital shake-up proposals

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Millar: Betsi chief's severance package must be public

Shadow health minister Darren Millar has called on ministers to reveal the terms of the severance package for Betsi Cadwaladr's former chief executive.

Professor Trevor Purt, who was suspended in June when the health board was put into special measures, has stepped down from the role.

Mr Millar said: "The health minister must make the details of any departure package for the outgoing chief executive public at once.

"Patients will not stand for senior managers being rewarded for failure."

Betsi Cadwaladr chief executive stands down from role

The chief executive of trouble health board Betsi Cadwaladr has stepped down from his role.

Professor Trevor Purt was suspended in June after the health board was put into special measures.

Professor Trevor Purt has stepped down from his role of Chief Executive of the troubled health board. Credit: ITV News

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board can confirm that Professor Trevor Purt has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive.

He will return to work in England where he will contribute to a number of NHS projects including the wider integration both across partner organisations and within the NHS more generally. He will build on the experience he has gained over six years in the Welsh NHS system.

– Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Health chiefs are now considering the process for the recruitment of a successor to Professor Purt.

Betsi Cadwaladr to stay in special measures for two years

A struggling North Wales health board is to remain in special measures for two years.

Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething recently said there had been 'progress' at Betsi Cadwaladr, which was placed in special measures on June 8 following long-standing concerns.

The two-year plan was agreed following a meeting yesterday with senior Welsh Government officials, the Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.

Whilst I recognise this is a difficult time for the organisation, I want to put on record the feedback has been extremely positive on the response from staff and their dedication and energy will be critical to tackling the challenges ahead in delivering day to day and improving the services for the population of north Wales.

– Vaughan Gething, Deputy Health Minister

Read more: Betsi Cadwaladr - a health board in crisis

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'Signs of progress' at struggling north Wales health board

The Welsh Government says there have been 'signs of progress' at a struggling north Wales health board.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was placed in special measures in June following "long-standing concerns".

Betsi Cadwaladr: 'A health board in crisis'

Betsi Cadwaladr health board has repeatedly hit the headlines in recent months. Credit: PA

The Welsh Government said "significant steps" have been taken in each of the five areas highlighted as part of the special measures – governance, leadership and oversight; mental health services; maternity services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd; GP and primary care, including out of hour services and reconnecting with the public in North Wales.

It confirmed the health board will remain in special measures "for the foreseeable future".

But Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar said "little appears to have changed", adding: "“The people of north Wales are fed up with apologies and excuses for failure. Hard working staff, patients and their loved ones want to see progress and improvement."

More: Betsi Cadwaladr's chief executive suspended

Health board in police probe suspends staff

A north Wales health board says a police investigation is underway into spending on a hospital redevelopment.

Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

The Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, which was recently placed in special measures, says two members of staff have been suspended while the investigation is underway.

In a statement on its website the health board says the inquiry is focusing on capital spending in 2014 where there were "concerns" over the costs of redevelopment at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

The Health Board took swift action to initiate an audit review of the scheme and subsequently referred matters to NHS counter fraud services.

An investigation involving NHS counter fraud services and North Wales Police is, we understand, ongoing.

Two members of staff are suspended whilst this investigation progresses.

– Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board

North Wales Police have yet to comment on the investigation.

Report reveals concerns of health board's 'bullying culture'

Details have emerged in a report published today by the former head of the Welsh NHS of a 'bullying culture' within the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board .

Credit: PA

In the report Ann Lloyd says the chair of the health board highlighted concerns within the organisation, claiming it has a 'rigid, overly bureaucratic and bullying culture'.

It comes after the health board was placed into special measures following 'long-standing concerns about governance, leadership and other issues.'

Read More: Betsi Cadwaladr's chief executive suspended

He [the chair] wants grip, pace, visibility and honesty and bravery within the organisation. He is very concerned about the lack of creativity within the organisation and considers the organisation has a rigid, overly bureaucratic and bullying culture.

– Ann Lloyd CBE

Health board measures 'will provide immediate stability'

Health Minister Mark Drakeford says a series of special measures announced for Betsi Cadwaladr health board will provide "immediate stability".

Given the seriousness and exceptional nature of the special measures, these arrangements will be monitored closely and reviewed at an early stage to ensure progress is being made.

A formal review of progress, involving Welsh Government officials, HIW and the Wales Audit Office will take place in four months’ time.

These are challenging times for the health service in North Wales but we must not lose sight of the fact that, every day, more than half a million people receive high-quality care. These measures will strengthen the administration of health services in North Wales for the future.

– Mark Drakeford AM, Health Minister
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